The time of year to don festive jumpers, sip hot cocoa by the fireplace and spread cheer is just around the corner! As Christmas approaches, so does the ever-exciting tradition of office Christmas parties. While traditional office parties have their charm, why not add some extra sparkle this year by embracing the unconventional? Step into a world of merriment as we unwrap a treasure trove of unusual work Christmas party ideas that’ll leave your colleagues talking about the festivities for years to come!
Top 25 Unusual Christmas Party Ideas
Here’s some our favourite activities for a quirky Christmas party that we think you’ll love to suit a range of budgets, group sizes and Christmas party themes:
1. Alcotraz Festive Prison Cocktail Bar
Spend Christmas at the bar behind bars! Alcotraz is an immersive prison cocktail bar where you’ll immerse in the story straight away by sneaking your own drink past the warden, aided by actors embodying infamous bootleggers. Avoid detection, don an orange jumpsuit and enter a cell as the bootleggers whip some delicious drinks for you. Skilled actors portray the warden and corrupt guards with a focus always on fun, breathing life into this US-style prison experience. Alcotraz has venues in London, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool.
2. Festive Booze & Bingo Party
Head to Hamilton Park in Glasgow for this brilliantly bonkers Christmas party that welcomes you with a drinks reception and a two-course meal. Then it’s time for an uproarious game of bingo with prizes live entertainment that’ll have you all in stitches. The night ends with a celebrity DJ cracking your favourite festive jams and retro chart toppers that you won’t be able to resist busting a move to.
3. Christmas Burlesque Show and Dinner
Experience a unique Christmas party at Proud Cabaret's Christmas Cabaret event. Savour a welcome drink then be dazzled by spectacular Vegas-style acts by West End pros, including award-winning acrobats, fire eaters, dancers, burlesque acts and hilarious drag queens. Indulge in a five-course meal while enjoying outstanding entertainment with loads of laughter and awe-inspiring moments. This is a night you’ll never forget, available for Brighton and London Christmas parties.
4. Festive Silent Disco Adventure
Embark on a festive frolic through the renowned streets of the city of your choice with the Silent Adventures Team. Dance and sing to hits and Christmas classics using hi-tech headsets. Unleash your inner pop star, laugh and groove along famous landmarks on this all-dance, all-singing walking tour. Comfortable shoes, water and an open mind are your companions for this 60-minute musical journey. This quirky activity is available in Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Cardiff.
5. Urban Funfair
Step right up to the Urban Funfair where you’ll get an unforgettable night of festive fun! Located at Magazine on Greenwich Peninsula, this massive venue offers 3,000sqm of space of indoor and outdoor space, plus stunning views of the Thames. Kick off the evening with a tasty canape reception before diving into a two-course festive feast. Then, let loose with indoor rides, fairground games, dodgems, a state-of-the-art light show and non-stop dancing to DJ beats. It’s the ultimate festive celebration if you fancy unleashing the big kid within!
6. Christmas Themed Dance Class
Dance into a uniquely fun and fab festive bash with a themed dance class. Embrace the magic in a 90-minute Christmas-themed dance class. Sport your ugliest Christmas jumper or dazzling elf attire; dressing up is a must. Led by lively, experienced dance instructors, you’ll learn how to groove to a tailored routine. Do your best dance floor slide, step and shimmy as you boogie on down to everyone’s favourite Christmas hits. It's a Strictly-worthy celebration!
7. Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus
Get ready to experience the festive magic of London like never before with a Christmas afternoon tea bus tour! Hop aboard a charming vintage Routemaster bus and enjoy a delightful afternoon tea as you cruise past iconic landmarks like Westminster Abbey, Royal Albert Hall and the Houses of Parliament. If you’re on an evening tour, you’ll even get to marvel at the dazzling lights of Regent Street. It’s the perfect blend of sightseeing and good food. This activity is also available in Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin.
8. Dream Circus Party
Step into the enchanting world of the Dream Circus where you’ll greeted by mesmerising stilt walkers and jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics. Tuck into delicious hot and cold canapes before indulging in a delicious three-course dinner. Throughout the night, you’ll entertained by clockwork ballerinas, aerial performances and LED dancers, all leading up to a spectacular full-cast finale. Afterwards, enjoy the dodgems, DJ, disco and casino before wrapping up with a late-night survivors' breakfast.
9. Murder Under the Mistletoe
Celebrate the festive season with this unusual Christmas party activity, Blackwatch's Christmas murder mystery. Expect mince pies, mulled wine, several professional actors and a classic whodunit with a festive touch. Play detective alongside Lord and Lady Thornley-Cruttock, unravel clues and try your hardest to catch the killer before time runs out in a real-life Cluedo adventure. Do you have what it takes to figure out whodunit?
10. Bowling with Festive Feast
Immerse yourselves in the festive spirit with a unique party idea at your local bowling alley. Enjoy a blend of dining, drinks and fun competition as you get the drinks in at the bar. Will you go for a signature beer, cider, glass of wine or a soft drink? Then it’s time for banter as you all take part in an exciting game of bowling, celebrating strikes and friendly rivalry. Finish your festive shindig with a tasty buffet with bitesized festive favourites or whatever takes your fancy from the set menu.
11. Axe Throwing with Festive Food & Drinks
Head to Whistle Punks for a fun evening of axe throwing, food, drink and good times. Enter the lively city venue to a prosecco welcome before you enjoy more than two hours in a private lane where you can learn how to throw axes and aim for bullseyes, with expert guidance from an instructor. A photo booth will capture your memories while three drinks each, five pizzas and sharing platters sweeten the deal! This activity is available in London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and beyond.
12. Ultimate Speedboat Christmas Adventure
Ditch the usual Christmas events because Thames Rockets offers an unparalleled, heart-pounding adventure on the iconic river. Bundle up and embrace a thrilling Thames speedboat ride with workmates or friends. Departing Millennium Pier, board a high-speed vessel, rocketing at 35 mph with 880 horsepower engines. A 50-minute festive blast featuring Christmas hits and stunning city sights awaits! This is too fun to resist.
13. Christmas Karaoke
Get into the Christmas spirit early with festive karaoke! Sing your heart out to over 11,000 songs, including festive favourites by Mariah Carey, Michael Buble, Wham and more in your private karaoke room with a disco ball. Some karaoke rooms will see you enjoy 2 hours of musical joy and Christmas snacks. Whether you’re planning a Birmingham Christmas party or celebrating somewhere else in the UK, who can resist karaoke? This popular activity is available all over the UK, Europe and beyond.
14. Christmas Team Brainteasers and Challenges
Sprinkle some festive fun into your team get party with a Christmas activity packed with brainteasers and challenges! Test your mental and strategic skills while tackling practical tasks and common sense puzzles. Event coordinators will guide you through the games, kicking off with an icebreaker quiz before diving into more light-hearted challenges. This activity is available in a huge range of cities across the UK. Split into colourful teams, you’ll compete for the top spot with festive music and Christmas hats adding to the cheer. Will your team claim victory on the Christmas scorecards?
15. Christmas Cricket
Get ready for a day or night that’s jam-packed with fun, games and loads of festive cheer at Sixes! Grab your friends and step into your private batting cage for a cricket experience like no other. Whether you’re great at cricket or just looking to have a laugh, swing for the targets as the virtual pitcher throws real cricket balls your way. Enjoy three drinks, a festive meal with burgers or pizza and dessert as you relax between turns. Do you have what it takes to be crowned the king or queen of cricket?
16. Festive Darts and Drinks
Celebrate Christmas with a twist at Oche The Strand where darts, food and drinks come together for an unforgettable party! Located in central London, Oche offers a 90-minute experience of interactive darts that’s perfect for everyone, whether you’re a regular darts player or just playing for fun. With six different games to choose from, automatic scoring and helpful staff to guide you, all you need to do is enjoy the festive vibes. Plus, you’ll tuck into delicious pizzas and turkey skewers and will enjoy two drinks each. Cheers to that!
17. Festive Whisky Tasting
Celebrate the season to be jolly with a festive whisky tasting. Sample four to six tasters including shots, long drinks, and cocktails. Start with an icebreaker, followed by a blind taste test to enhance focus on aroma and flavour. A dedicated whisky expert will help you explore whisky's rich history, production and origin. Try various whiskeys and possibly your favourite as a cocktail. Raise your glass, revel in the festive spirit and enjoy the best time of the year in good company.
18. Christmas Game Show
Kick off your Christmas celebrations with a bang with a Christmas Game Show! Ditch the usual parties and dive into a night of fierce, festive competition. Gather your friends or colleagues, don your ugliest holiday jumpers and head to a venue of your choice for 90 minutes of non-stop fun. With a lively host leading the way, you’ll face off in games like Festive Catchphrase and Frosty’s Price Is Right. It’s the perfect way to sleigh the season with a night of laughter and friendly competition. This activity is available in Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
19. Christmas Escape Room
Take your colleagues on an adventure they won't soon forget with a festive-themed, virtual escape room challenge! Split into teams, they must solve puzzles, uncover clues and work together to escape the room within a time limit. Not only is it an entertaining way to spend time together, but it also encourages problem-solving skills and teamwork.
20. Off Piste Christmas Party
This Christmas, escape to a winter wonderland at the Off Piste Christmas party at Battersea Evolution! Step into a snowy paradise with towering trees, plush Chesterfields and cosy log fires that bring the charm of a luxury ski resort to life. Sip on chilled drinks from themed bars, including an ice bar and Aperol Spritz station as you enjoy high-energy entertainment and delicious canapes. The night continues with a stunning three-course meal, live music, a DJ and even adrenaline-pumping dodgems for an unusual festive party like no other!
21. Skyball James Bond Christmas Party
Get ready for a night of glitz, glamour and 007 vibes at this festive hotel party! Start your evening like a VIP with a red carpet entrance and a glass of prosecco in hand. The banqueting room, decked out in sleek James Bond-inspired decor, sets the stage for a mouth-watering three-course meal with options for everyone. Enjoy Bond hits from the DJ, sip on unlimited drinks and hit the dance floor as the live band plays party classics. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at the casino tables or get glammed up at the glitter bar!
22. 90s Xmas Bottomless Brunch
What better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than at a 90s-themed bottomless brunch with your besties? Ger ready for an afternoon of delicious food, drinks and partying like it’s 1999! Enjoy a tasty brunch menu paired with an hour of bottomless drinks, including cocktails, beer, prosecco and more. Groove to festive hits and 90s bops spun by the resident DJ and sing along with a live duo. Grab your friends, hit the dance floor and make memories that’ll last a lifetime!
23. Mario Christmas Gaming Package
Experience a unique twist on Christmas parties with Experience Platform's Mario Christmas gaming package. Enjoy exclusive use of private booths with gaming, a giant TV and festive cocktails. Indulge in starters, pizza and dessert while unwrapping a mystery present. You’ll compete against each other in a range of video games including Mario Kart, Call of Duty, Overcooked and more, all great fun for Oxford Christmas parties and other locatio
24. Frost Shot Virtual Clay Shooting
Immerse in a festive shooting extravaganza with 90 minutes of private peg use. Take aim with deactivated shotguns on 4k virtual screens featuring Christmas-themed games. Guided by a shoot captain, even novices become sharpshooters. Do you think you can come out on top? Embrace friendly competition, enjoy three complimentary drinks, from prosecco to Clays' signature cocktails, accompanied by tasty sharing plates.
25. Carnivale
Enter the vibrant world of Carnivale, greeted with cocktails and canapés. Marvel at performers and El Dia de Los Muertos skeletons. Indulge in a three-course meal with wine, entertained by captivating dances. Once your bellies are full, you can dance to live music and DJ beats and enjoy fairground rides for an unforgettable, culture-infused festive celebration with a difference.
Why Have an Unusual Christmas Party?
Before we delve into the quirky Christmas ideas that’ll transform your office gathering into an extraordinary celebration, let's explore why choosing an unusual Christmas activity can elevate your Christmas party game:
1. Break the Monotony: Year after year, the same old routine can start to feel like a broken record. Choosing unusual Christmas party activities can infuse a breath of fresh air into the traditional festive party, making it an event everyone eagerly anticipates and talks about for ages after.
2. Team Bonding: Unusual festive activities often require collaboration and teamwork, encouraging a sense of camaraderie among colleagues. It's a brilliant way to unite the team and encourage them to work together outside the confines of the normal work or office environment.
3. Unleash Creativity: Trying something different sparks creativity and encourages individuals to think outside the box. This newfound inspiration can carry over into the workplace, sparking innovation and fresh ideas.
4. Memorable Experience: Forget the work or office Christmas parties of the past than felt a bit meh! An unusual Christmas party creates a lasting impression, ensuring your festive bash becomes the stuff of legends.
5. Stress Relief: The festive season can be a bit overwhelming. An unexpected activity injects some fun and relaxation into the mix, providing the perfect stress-busting remedy for everyone at your workplace.
Book Your Unusual Christmas Party Today
This festive season, break free from the ordinary and venture into the extraordinary with these unusual work Christmas party ideas. Whether you embark on an adventure to Alcotraz, try an escape room, host a winter wonderland carnival or try axe throwing, the memories you create will be cherished for years to come. Embrace the festive spirit and give your colleagues a celebration that not only brings joy and laughter but also fosters teamwork and creativity.
Remember, it's the season of magic and merriment so let your holiday party sparkle with uniqueness and creativity! Happy holidays and get ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in style with unusual Christmas party ideas from Fizzbox.
